These are the areas on which I focused in my Action Research Plan:
Problem: 6th Graders at Harrisburg Middle School score low on standard 6.M.G.2: Students are able to use basic shapes to demonstrate geometric concepts. This standard which they scored low on as 6th graders is definitely related to the 7th grade standards 7.G.1.1 and 7.G.1.2
7.G.1.1: Identify, describe, and classify polygons having up to 10 sides.
7.G.1.2: Identify and describe elements of geometric figures.
Question: Will integrating 21st Century Skills and Tools show an improvement from last year's standard 6.M.G.2 to this year's 7th grade standards of 7.G.1.1 and 7.G.1.2?
Plan: Integrate 21st Century Skills and Tools into my lesson plans for standard 6.M.G.2. I admintered a pre and post test using Achievement Series over standards 7.G.1.1 and 7.G.1.2. As I was teaching the skills of tables in Microsoft Word, Power Point, and Movie Maker in my 7th grade computer classes, I integrated the geometry standards into their computer assignments.
Reflection: This has been a great process. Being a computer teacher, it is very helpful to use the information from eMetric to help guide my instruction. I am not just in here to teach computer concepts but also integrate those into what the students are learning in thier other classes. This project had a two-fold purpose: to teach technology and the math concepts. I was very excited to hear them talk and use the math vocabulary as they were working to finish up their technology project. Since this project, they have since gone on to use Movie Maker for projects in their other classes.
Implications for Future Work: I hope to use my standards to guide my teaching of computers and integrate what we do in computer class with what they are learning in their other classes. I look forward to using eMetric next year again, find those standards that are low, and use technology to help improve the test scores. My goal for myself is to use other content standards next year and not only math.
Problem: 6th Graders at Harrisburg Middle School score low on standard 6.M.G.2: Students are able to use basic shapes to demonstrate geometric concepts. This standard which they scored low on as 6th graders is definitely related to the 7th grade standards 7.G.1.1 and 7.G.1.2
7.G.1.1: Identify, describe, and classify polygons having up to 10 sides.
7.G.1.2: Identify and describe elements of geometric figures.
Question: Will integrating 21st Century Skills and Tools show an improvement from last year's standard 6.M.G.2 to this year's 7th grade standards of 7.G.1.1 and 7.G.1.2?
Plan: Integrate 21st Century Skills and Tools into my lesson plans for standard 6.M.G.2. I admintered a pre and post test using Achievement Series over standards 7.G.1.1 and 7.G.1.2. As I was teaching the skills of tables in Microsoft Word, Power Point, and Movie Maker in my 7th grade computer classes, I integrated the geometry standards into their computer assignments.
Reflection: This has been a great process. Being a computer teacher, it is very helpful to use the information from eMetric to help guide my instruction. I am not just in here to teach computer concepts but also integrate those into what the students are learning in thier other classes. This project had a two-fold purpose: to teach technology and the math concepts. I was very excited to hear them talk and use the math vocabulary as they were working to finish up their technology project. Since this project, they have since gone on to use Movie Maker for projects in their other classes.
Implications for Future Work: I hope to use my standards to guide my teaching of computers and integrate what we do in computer class with what they are learning in their other classes. I look forward to using eMetric next year again, find those standards that are low, and use technology to help improve the test scores. My goal for myself is to use other content standards next year and not only math.